5 games to watch: Manchester United and Liverpool renew their rivalry
By Adam Stocker
Here are five of the best matches around Europe this weekend, headlined by a top-four matchup between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
With the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 and the Europa League round of 32 over, attention shifts back to league play. This week features a top-four matchup in La Liga and the Premier League, while the Bundesliga offers three games that will play a role in the title race and the race for European positions.
5. RB Leipzig vs. Hoffenheim — Monday, Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m. (FS2)
RB Leipzig are fourth in the Bundesliga after picking up 10 points in their last four games. The Red Bulls defeated Stuttgart 3-1 last weekend, with Yussuf Poulsen scoring a brace. The Danish striker is having the best season of his career, leading the club with 12 goals. The duo of Poulsen and Timo Werner give Leipzig one of the toughest attacks to stop. In addition to their high-scoring strikers, Leipzig are the best defensive team in the Bundesliga, conceding only 19 goals.
On Monday, Leipzig host Hoffenheim, who are battling for a Europa League position. Hoffenheim would be contending for a spot in the Champions League spot if they didn’t get off to a terrible start to the season. Despite picking up only seven points in their first seven games, a win over Leipzig could move Hoffenheim from eighth up to fifth. Achtzehn99 have lost only once since Oct. 20 but have eight draws over that stretch. While Hoffenheim are the third-highest scoring team, they’ve struggled to keep the ball out of their own net, allowing 32 goals this season.
4. Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Wolfsburg — Saturday, Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. (FOX Soccer Match Pass)
Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg are the two most surprising teams in the Bundesliga this season. On Saturday, the two clubs meet at Borussia-Park, with both battling for a spot in Europe next season.
Monchengladbach are third in the Bundesliga. That’s a big surprise in itself, but the way they’re doing it is even more surprising. Gladbach have scored the fourth most goals and allowed the second fewest. After being middle of the table last year and having a negative goal differential, it’s quite the turnaround. Despite sitting third, Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are hot on their tail for a Champions League spot.
Wolfsburg finished 16th the last two seasons and had to win the relegation playoff just to remain in the Bundesliga. This season, the Wolves have completely turned around their fortunes and are sixth in the table. Over their last 11 games, Wolfsburg picked up 23 points and are in the middle of a tight race with six clubs for a spot in the Europa Leauge.
3. Sevilla vs. Barcelona — Saturday, Feb. 23, 10:15 a.m. ET (beIN Sports)
Sevilla play host to Barcelona on Saturday. In the first half of the season, the two clubs played a very entertaining game that saw four goals in the final half hour, with Barcelona winning 4-2. The return fixture will hopefully be just as good.
While first-place Barcelona are 17 points ahead of fourth-place Sevilla, the two clubs have a lot to play for. Barcelona are looking to maintain their seven-point lead over Atletico Madrid. Despite having to settle for a scoreless draw on Tuesday against Lyon in the Champions League, Barca have been on fire in La Liga, where they have not lost since Nov. 11.
Sevilla are trying to hold onto the final Champions League spot. Six clubs are within six points of Sevilla and a loss on Saturday could drop Sevilla to seventh in the table. Pablo Machin’s team have struggled lately, losing four of their last six games and picking up only four points. If Sevilla do not turn it around, they are at jeopardy of missing out on not only the Champions League but also the Europa League.
2. Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen — Sunday, Feb. 24, 12:00 p.m. (FS2)
At the winter break, it looked like Borussia Dortmund would finally end Bayern Munich’s reign of terror in the Bundesliga. Bayern had won six straight titles entering the season but a poor start to the season put them seven points back. Three straight draws by Dortmund, including one against last-place Nurnberg on Monday, have Bayern within three points. Marco Reus has been incredible this season and is one of the reasons why Dortmund are first in the Bundesliga. However, Reus is expected to miss Sunday’s game, his fourth in a row. Dortmund have failed to win any of the last three games Dortmund have played without their captain. If Dortmund are going to maintain their lead atop the table, they’ll need to get a strong performance Mario Gotze, who has replaced Reus in the lineup.
On Sunday, Dortmund host Bayer Leverkusen, who have been one of the hottest teams in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen decided to fire Heiko Herrlich at the winter break and replace him with former Dortmund manager Peter Bosz. After losing his first game in charge, Leverkusen have won four consecutive games, outscoring their opponents 13-2. Kai Havertz is looking like the next German superstar. The 19-year-old scored his ninth goal of the season against Fortuna Dusseldorf and has been his club’s best player. Leverkusen will look to continue their streak and close the gap on fourth place Leipzig, who they trail by five points.
1. Manchester United vs. Liverpool — Sunday, Feb. 24, 9:05 a.m. ET (NBCSN)
The best game of the weekend features not only two of the hottest teams in the Premier League but one of the biggest rivalries. On Sunday, Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford. While the Red Devils are out of the title race, sitting 14 points behind Liverpool and Manchester City, they can play spoiler and damage Liverpool’s chances of winning their first title in 29 years. The Reds will look to end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten Premier League run and potentially knock the Red Devils out of a Champions League spot.
Manchester United have turned their season around since firing Jose Mourinho and replacing him with Solskjaer. Since the managerial change, United are unbeaten in their nine Premier League games, picking up 25 points. When Solskjaer took over, United had a neutral goal differential but in the last nine games have outscored their opponents by 17 goals. After losing the first leg of their Champions League draw 2-0 against Paris Saint-Germain, United returned and handily beat Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup. Paul Pogba scored his 14th goal in all competitions. The French midfielder has completely turned around his game and the fortune of the club. In the final two games before Mourinho was fired, Pogba couldn’t get on the pitch. Since Solskjaer has taken over, Pogba looks completely rejuvenated, looking like the dominant midfielder who can impact the game in so many different ways.
Liverpool were held to a scoreless draw on Tuesday by Bayern Munich. They will turn their focus back to the Premier League title race this weekend. With Liverpool and City level on points, one slip up could determine the title race. The first of three big tests for Liverpool will be this weekend against United. If Liverpool drop points, they might not get another chance to pass City. With games against Spurs, Chelsea and the five worst teams in the Premier League remaining, the Reds can’t have a slip up now. Jurgen Klopp’s team can’t lose focus and will need to gain the edge in midfield and limit Pogba’s ability to impact the game. Up front, Mohamad Salah and Sadio Mane need to finish their chances after both players had disappointing games against Bayern.